• About Us
  • Get Support OLD
  • Invest in Change
  • Resources
Better Food Policy FundBetter Food Policy Fund
Better Food Policy FundBetter Food Policy Fund
  • About
    • Mission and Values
    • Our Team
    • Our Approach
    • Our History
    • Our Impact
  • Get Support
    • Grantmaking Overview
    • Current Grantees
    • Upcoming Opportunities
  • Invest in Change
  • Resources
  • Stay Informed

Current Leadership

The Better Food Policy Fund is governed by an Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) to shift funding decisions away from donors. The IAC is self-governing and informally accountable to food policy council stakeholders.

The body is diverse and experienced in participatory processes, collaborative governance, cross-cultural communication, policy development, and food systems. They work to ensure continuity, stability, and equity within the Fund.

The first IAC members were invited in April 2023. Term limits and selection processes for future IAC members are not yet set.

Adrienne Markworth

Adrienne Markworth

IAC Member

Leah's Pantry
San Diego, California
View Profile
Ethan Gallegos

Ethan Gallegos

IAC Member

First Nations Development Institute
Vancouver, Washington
View Profile
j. olu baiyewu

j. olu baiyewu

IAC Member

City of Atlanta Urban Agriculture
Atlanta, Georgia
View Profile
Karen Bassarab

Karen Bassarab

IAC Member

Center for a Livable Future
Baltimore, Maryland
View Profile
Kristen Murphy

Kristen Murphy

IAC Member

JAIDE Conservation Collective
Sacramento, California
View Profile
Laureen Husband

Laureen Husband

IAC Member

Feeding Northeast Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
View Profile
Luis Nieves-Ruiz

Luis Nieves-Ruiz

IAC Member

ECF Regional Planning Council
Orlando, Florida
View Profile
Milele Kennedy

Milele Kennedy

IAC Member

Gennesaret Free Clinics
Indianapolis, Indiana
View Profile
Eileen Horn

Eileen Horn

Fund Facilitator

Taos, New Mexico
View Profile
Jane Schmitz

Jane Schmitz

Fund Support

From Now On Fund
Washington, DC
View Profile
Molly Norton

Molly Norton

Fund Support

Tides Foundation
Seattle, Washington
View Profile

Past Leadership

In late 2022, an interim governing body used their diverse perspectives to decide strategy for the fund and help select the first Independent Advisory Committee.  These Advance team members included:

  • A-dae Briones, First Nations Development Institute
  • Christy Shi Day, participatory process consultant
  • Cicely Garrett, National Black Food & Justice Alliance
  • Karen Bassarab, Center for a Livable Future – JHU
  • Luis Nieves-Ruiz, East Central FL Regional Planning Council
  • Molly Norton, Tides Foundation
  • Monica Bhagwan, Leah’s Pantry

Frequently Asked Questions

How are IAC members chosen? Is there a term limit?

An interim stakeholder committee with diverse geographic, cultural, demographic, and food policy council-based perspectives led the selection process for the first slate of IAC members.

The committee used relationship-based networking and nominations solicited from 300+ stakeholders to identify prospects.  They then selected people with the skills needed to govern the initial phase of this fund.  They centered diversity throughout the process.

IAC members serve for a minimum of 1 year, with rotating term limits for stability. Term limits for current members and future selection processes are not yet set.  This ongoing governance structure is in development by the IAC.

How does the Fund engage with stakeholders in decision-making or strategy shaping?

Stakeholder engagement has involved surveys, individual conversations, focus groups, virtual public forums, and careful facilitation to ensure that information gets into the IAC’s consent-based decision-making process.

What measures does the Fund take to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in its operations?

The Fund explicitly seeks diversity across its governing body and grantee cohort. The operating norms of the Independent Advisory Committee are rooted in inclusive practices, such as consent-based decision-making. The Fund engages in consistent and persistent communications and seeks to proactively provide transparency to its stakeholder body.

Who oversees the Fund’s operations and decision-making?

The Independent Advisory Council is responsible for oversight, supported by an administrative team.

Join us as we continue to uplift the great work of food policy councils! Stay Connected
Better Food Policy (BFPF) Logo - Roots Emerging from a Fork
  • Definitions
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us

© 2023 · betterfoodpolicy.org. Illustrations by Fred Noland

  • Definitions
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us